Device for holding a slider during assemblage of a fastener chain therethrough

ABSTRACT

A recessed slider mount is formed on the top of a support structure for holding a slider placed upside down with its pull tab received in a channel extending downwardly therefrom. A lever turnably supported between a pair of brackets formed on one side of the support structure includes a detent formed on its upper end to engage the opening of the pull tab and hence to lock the slider in position on the slider mount. Any accidental unlocking of the slider is prevented as by means including a second lever turnably supported adjacent the lower end of the first recited lever and urged by a spring to have one end thereof normally held opposite to an abutment formed on the support structure. Hence, unless the second lever is turned to move the said one end thereof away from its position opposite to the abutment, the first lever cannot be turned to unlock the slider.

Waited States Patent [191 Takahashi et al.

[ DEVICE FOR HOLDING A SLIDER DURING ASSEMBLAGE OF A FASTENER CHAIN THERETHROUGH [75] Inventors: Kihei Takahashi, Uozu; Shunichi Shigeno, Kurobe, both of Japan 73 Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,

Tokyo, Japan 221 Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 21 Appl.'No.: 385,807

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 12, 1972 Japan 47-80898 [52] US. Cl 29/207.5 SL [51] Int. Cl B23p 19/04 [58] Field of Search 29/207.5 SL, 2075 ST, 29/207.5 R, 408

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,629,926 12/1971 Maeda 29/2075 SL 51 Oct. 29, 1974 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT A recessed slider mount is formed on the top of a support structure for holding a slider placed upside down with its pull tab received in a channel extending downwardly therefrom. A lever turnably supported between a pair of brackets formed on one side of the support structure includes a detent formed on its upper end to engage the opening of the pull tab and hence to lock the slider in position on the slider mount. Any accidental unlocking of the slider is prevented as by means including a second lever turnably supported adjacent the lower end of the first recited lever and urged by a spring to have one end thereof normally held opposite to an abutment formed on the support structure. Hence, unless the second lever is turned to move the said one end thereof away from its position opposite to the abutment, the first lever cannot be turned to unlock the slider.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a slider holder for holding sliders during assemblage therethrough of a slide fastener chain already secured to desired parts of an article such as various pieces of clothing.

According to one typical example of prior art slider holders comparable to the device of this invention, a slider is mounted on the top of a support structure with its pull tab received in a channel extending downwardly therefrom, and this pull tab is frictionally engaged within the channel by means urged by a spring. It will be apparent that the slider held in this manner is susceptible to easy displacement or detachment, as when the fastener chain is caught within the guide channels of the slider. This deficiency of the prior art has presented a serious bar to the efficient assemblage of slide fasteners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a slider holder whereby a slider is securely locked in position against any possible displacement during assemblage of a fastener chain therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a slider holder whereby the slider is held in a manner particularly suitable for assemblage therethrough of the fastener chain already attached to a garment or other articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a slider holder such that the slider can be easily mounted on and dismounted from its assembly position on the slider holder.

With these objects in view and the other objects hereinafter set forth, this invention provides a slider holder which includes a support structure having a recessed slider mount on its top and a channel extending downwardly therefrom to receive the pull tab of the slider placed upside down on the slider mount. A lever tumably supported by the support structure is urged by a spring to engage the opening in the slider pull tab by a detent formed on its top and hence to lock the slider in position on the slider mount during assemblage of a slide fastener chain therethrough.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the accidental disengagement of the detent from the pull tab opening is prevented by means comprising an abutment formed on the support structure, and a second lever turnably supported adjacent the lower end of the first mentioned lever and urged by a second spring to have one end thereof normally held opposite to the abutment with a prescribed spacing therebetween. The first lever cannot be turned to disengage its detent from the pull tab opening unless the second lever is first turned to move the aforesaid one end thereof away from its position opposite to the abutment. Thus, while the slider can be securely retained in position during assemblage of the fastener chain therethrough, it can be easily mounted on and dismounted from the recessed slider mount by the simple manipulation of the second lever.

The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and mode of operation, together with the fiirther objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate some preferred embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical section, of a slider holder constructed by way of a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a right-hand side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. I and explanatory of a mode of operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical section, of another preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a right-hand side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and explanatory of a mode of operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The slider holder according to this invention will now be described more specifically in terms of a first preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. The exemplified slider holder includes a support structure 10 having a recessed slider mount 11 on its top. A channel 112 extends vertically downwardly from the slider mount 11 to receive the pull tab 13 of a slider 14 placed upside down upon the slider mount for the assemblage of a fastener chain or stringers 15 therethrough.

A pair of brackets 16 are formed on one side of the support structure 10 in spaced and parallel relationship to each other, the spacing 17 between the brackets being in direct communication with the aforesaid channel l2. Pivotally supported at 18 between the brackets 16 is a first lever 19 having a detent or prong 20 projecting laterally from its top. A first helical compression spring 21 extends between the support structure 10 and the first lever 19, such that this first lever is urged to turn counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 1 into a first position in which its detent 20 is caused to project into the opening 22 of the slider pull tab 13 received in the channel 12 of the support structure.

The lower end of the first lever 19 is bifurcated as best shown in FIG. 2, and a substantially L-shaped second lever 23 is pivotally supported at 24 at the bifurcated lower end of the first lever. One end 25 of this second lever is positioned opposite to an abutment 26 formed on the support structure 110, while the other end 27 of the second lever is slightly bent downwardly to support one extremity of a second helical compression spring 28 the other extremity of which is supported by a member 29 securely affixed to the bifurcated lower end of the first lever 19. A stop is provided at 30 on the first lever 19 to normally retain the second lever 23 in its position illustrated in FIG. l in particular.

It is to be noted that with the first and second levers in their respective normal positions shown in FIG. 1, an

appropriate spacing exists between the end 25 of the second lever 23 and the abutment 26, and also that the second spring 28 offers appreciably less resistance to the force tending to compress the same than the first spring 21.

For holding the slider 14 by the slider holder described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the second lever 23 may first be pressed against the tension of the second spring 28, either manually or by some mechanical means not shown, to cause its end 25 to move away from its position opposite to the abutment 26 of the support structure 10. The other end 27 of the second lever is thus brought into contact with the member 29 securely affixed to the first lever 19.

As the second lever 23 is further turned in the same direction, the first lever 19 is caused to turn against the tension of the first spring 21 to a second position (shown in FIG. 3) in which the detent 20 of this first lever is held away from the channel 12 of the support structure 10. The slider 14 can now be placed upside down on the slider mount 11, with its pull tab 13 inserted fully into the channel 12. If now the second lever 23 is released, this and the first lever 19 will be automatically returned to their normal positions of FIG. 1 by their respective springs 28 and 21, with the result that the detent 20 formed on the first lever projects into the opening 22 of the pull tab 13 to lock the slider 14 in position on the slider mount 11.

With the slider 14 thus securely mounted in position, the first lever 19 cannot be turned clockwise unless the second lever 23 is first turned in its predetermined direction, because such clockwise turn of the first lever is prevented by the end 25 of the second lever which is held suitably close to the abutment 26 of the support structure 10. To release the slider 14 after the assemblage of the fastener chain therethrough, it is only necessary to turn the second lever 23 and then the first lever 19 as in the case of mounting the slider on the slider mount 11. The detent will thus be withdrawn to release the pull tab and hence to permit removal of the fastener chain with the attached slider.

FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the invention, which also includes the support structure 10 having the recessed slider mount 11 on its top and the channel 12 extending vertically downwardly from the slider mount to receive the pull tab 13 of the slider 14. Also as in the preceding embodiment, the pair of brackets 16 are formed on one side of the support structure to pivotally support the lever 19 therebetween, and this lever is urged to turn counterclockwise by the first helical compression spring 21 to cause its detent 20 to project into the opening 22 of the slider pull tab 13 received in the channel 12 of the support structure.

A stop member 31 having a step 32 intermediate between both ends thereof is turnably supported at 33 adjacent the lower end of the lever 19, and its end 34 is normally placed opposite to the support structure 10. A spring 35 is mounted within the lever 19 to cause the stop member 31 to tend to turn counterclockwise as seen in FIGS. 4 and 6. A push rod 36 slidably extends transversely of the lower end portion of the lever 19 substantially in side-by-side relationship to the stop member 31.

This push rod 36 includes a larger diameter portion 37 formed on one end thereof, a smaller diameter portion 38 formed intermediate between both ends thereof, and a sloping step 39 between the larger and the smaller diameter portions 37 and 38. A second helical compression spring is mounted at 28 between the lever 19 and a knob 41 formed on the other end of the push rod 36 to normally hold the latter in its retracted position. It will be seen from FIG. 4 that the free end 34 of the aforesaid stop member 31 is urged against the larger diameter portion 37 of the push rod 36 by the spring 35.

An aperture 42 is formed transversely of the support structure 10 to receive both the push rod 36 and the stop member 31 when the knob 41 is pushed for the insertion or withdrawal of the slider pull tab 13 into or out of the channel 12. Normally, however, only the larger diameter portion 37 of the push rod is partly received in the aperture 42. It is to be well noted that the entrance end of this aperture 42 is dimensioned to permit passage therethrough of the push rod larger diameter portion 37 with substantial clearance.

In the operation of this second preferred embodiment of the invention the knob 41 is first pressed against the tension of the second spring 28 to force the larger diameter portion 37 of the push rod 36 into the aperture 42. With the larger diameter portion 37 thus fully inserted into the aperture 42, the free end 34 of the stop member 31 is caused to slide down the sloping step 39 onto the smaller diameter portion 38 of the push rod with the sustained pressure exerted to the knob 41. Both the push rod and the stop member are now ready to be inserted into the aperture 42.

As the knob is further pressed, this pressure is imparted through the compressed second spring 28 to the lever 19 thereby causing the latter to turn clockwise as seen in FIG. 6 against the tension of the first spring 21 as both the push rod and the stop member are received in the aperture 42. The clockwise turn of the lever 19 is limited as the step 32 of the stop member come into contact with the edge of the aperture 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Since the detent 20 of the lever 19 is now held away from the channel 12 of the support structure 10, the slider 14 can be mounted upside down on the slider mount 11 with its pull tab 13 received in the channel 12.

The knob 41 is then released to permit the lever 19 to return to its initial position shown in FIG. 4, whereupon the detent 20 projects into the opening 22 of the pull tab 13 to lock the slider 14 in position on the slider mount 11. During the succeeding assemblage of the fastener chain 15 through the slider 14, the latter will be securely retained in position because the lever 19 is held immovable unless the knob 41 is pressed to move the stop member 31 off its locking position shown in FIG. 4. It will be apparent that the slider together with the fastener chain can be released through substantially the same procedure as that described above for mounting the slider on the slider mount 11.

Although the invention has been shown and described hereinbefore in terms of some specific embodiments thereof, it is to be clearly understood that all matter described herein is shown in the accompanying drawings is by way of example only and is not intended to impose limitations upon the invention. Further, in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without corresponding use of other features. It is therefore appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the fair meaning or proper scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A device for holding a slider during assemblage of a fastener chain therethrough, wherein said slider includes a pull tab having an opening therein, said device comprising:

a support structure including:

a recessed slider mount formed on the top of said support structure, and a channel extending downwardly from said recessed slider mount, said channel being adapted to receive said pull tab of said slider placed upside down on said recessed slider mount; a lever supported by said support structure so as to be tumable between a first and a second position;

a detent formed on the upper end of said lever and adapted to engage said opening of said pull tab when said lever is in said first position;

spring means for yieldably urging said lever to said first position; and

means for normally preventing said lever from tuming to said second position where said detent is disengaged from said opening of said pull tab.

2. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 1,

wherein said means comprises:

a second lever supported adjacent the lower end of the first mentioned lever so as to be tumable between 2 first and a second position;

an abutment formed on said support structure so as to face one end of said second lever with a spacing therebetween when the latter is in said first position; and

second spring means for normally holding said second lever in said first position;

said second lever being tumable to said second position against the tension of said second spring means to cause said one end thereof to move away from its position opposite to said abutment whereby the first mentioned lever is permitted to turn to said second position thereof against the tension of the first mentioned spring means.

3. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 2,

wherein the tension of said second spring means is smaller than that of the first mentioned spring means.

4. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 1, wherein said means comprises:

a stop member turnably supported at one end thereof adjacent the lower end of said lever, the other end of said stop member extending laterally from said lever and being positioned opposite to said support structure;

a push rod slidably extending transversely of the lower end portion of said lever, said push rod including:

a larger diameter portion formed on one end thereof and adapted to be received in an aperture formed transversely of said support structure,

a smaller diameter portion formed intermediate between both ends of said push rod, and

a sloping step formed between said larger and said smaller diameter portions;

spring means for yieldably urging said other end of said stop member against said larger diameter portion of said push rod to prevent said lever from turning to said second position; and

second spring means for normally holding said push rod in such a position that said larger diameter portion thereof is partly received in said aperture.

5. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 4, including a knob formed on the other end of said push rod to manually press the same.

6. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 4 wherein the tension of said second spring means is smaller than that of said first spring means. 

1. A device for holding a slider during assemblage of a fastener chain therethrough, wherein said slider includes a pull tab having an opening therein, said device comprising: a support structure including: a recessed slider mount formed on the top of said support structure, and a channel extending downwardly from said recessed slider mount, said channel being adapted to receive said pull tab of said slider placed upside down on said recessed slider mount; a lever supported by said support structure so as to be turnable between a first and a second position; a detent formed on the upper end of said lever and adapted to engage said opening of said pull tab when said lever is in said first position; spring means for yieldably urging said lever to said first position; and means for normally preventing said lever from turning to said second position where said detent is disengaged from said opening of said pull tab.
 2. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 1, wherein said means comprises: a second lever supported adjacent the lower end of the first mentioned lever so as to be turnable between a first and a second position; an abutment formed on said support structure so as to face one end of said second lever with a spacing therebetween when the latter is in said first position; and second spring means for normally holding said second lever in said first position; said second lever being turnable to said second position against the tension of said second spring means to cause said one end thereof to move away from its position opposite to said abutment whereby the first mentioned lever is permitted to turn to said second position thereof against the tension of the first mentioned spring means.
 3. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 2, wherein the tension of said second spring means is smaller than that of the first mentioned spring means.
 4. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 1, wherein said means comprises: a stop member turnably supported at one end thereof adjacent the lower end of said lever, the other end of said stop member extending laterally from said lever and being positioned opposite to said support structure; a push rod slidably extending transversely of the lower end portion of said lever, said push rod including: a larger diameter portion formed on one end thereof and adapted to be received in an aperture formed transversely of said support structure, a smaller diameter portion formed intermediate between both ends of said push rod, and a sloping step formed between said larger and said smaller diameter portions; spring means for yieldably urging said other end of said stop member against said larger diameter portion of said push rod to prevent said lever from turning to said second position; and second spring means for normally holding said push rod in such a position that said larger diameter portion thereof is partly received in said aperture.
 5. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 4, including a knob formed on the other end of said push rod to manually press the same.
 6. A device for holding a slider as defined in claim 4 wherein the tension of said second spring means is smaller than that of said first spring means. 